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Glite Dictionary
to unthaw

to unthaw

7.2
To make something frozen melt by warming it
  • verb
  • /ʌnˈθɔ/
  • Informal
translation icon : descongelar
  • "This thaw took a while to thaw; it's going to take a while to unthaw." Oct. 20, 2008, in Alexandria, La., as he discussed the economy and frozen credit markets.

Examples

  • But if I'm still frozen in 1967... ...how could I have been unthawed in the '90s and traveled...

    Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)

  • Do you want me unthaw the asparagus tips, or the French-cut green beans?

    Magic (1978)

  • * I came here alone * And I plan to leave that way * But I find comfort in * All of the things you say * My heart unthawed * And my brain unstalled * Took time to comprehend *

    Paperback (2015)

  • But if I'm still frozen in 1967, how could I have been unthawed in the 90's and traveled back to the Sixties? (goes cross-eyed)

    Fiction book (1999)

  • To prepare a delicious meal, first, you need to unthaw the chicken in the fridge overnight.

  • She decided to unthaw the leftover soup before serving it for dinner.

  • You can unthaw the frozen vegetables quickly in the microwave if you're in a hurry.

Synonyms

to melt
vsto unthaw
362 1.0

To change a solid into a liquid by heating it

is a nonstandard label for warming frozen items specifically
to thaw
vsto unthaw
65 1.1

To become soft and melt after being frozen or make something melt

is a nonstandard word used instead of the usual term
to thaw out
vsto unthaw
4 2.3

To become not frozen by getting warm

is a nonstandard alternative to this everyday phrasing
to unfreeze
vsto unthaw
2 3.5

Make something that is frozen become soft or liquid

is a nonstandard word for that same warming action
to dethaw
vsto unthaw
  • US
6.6

To make something frozen become soft or liquid by warming

is a nonstandard word for that same warming action

Antonyms

to freeze
770 1.0

Become solid because of cold, like water turning to ice

to solidify
55 4.4

To change from a liquid or gas into a hard state as it cools

How Thawed

to defrost
20 1.7
to unthaw
  • Informal
7.2

Surface Forms

unthaw infinitive
unthawed past
unthawed past participle
unthawing present participle
unthaws third person singular

Morphology

unthaw = thaw (opaque) = un + thaw

Although formed by the productive prefix 'un-' plus 'thaw', the common nonstandard meaning 'to thaw/defrost' contradicts the expected negation and will mislead learners.

Etymology

Unthaw comes from the first part un- plus thaw, but unlike many un- words it does not mean the opposite; it is a nonstandard way to say 'to thaw' or 'defrost'. A helpful way to remember this is to think of unthaw as 'undoing the freeze', so when someone says unthaw they mean to warm something until it becomes soft or liquid again.